Bungaroo Track

1 hr 30 mins

3.6 km Return

237 m

Hard track

This walk explores a section of bush between Hunter Ave, St Ives, and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a reasonably well defined bush track, passing several rocky outcrops with views across the valley. The walk is named after Bungaroo, a spot of Middle Harbour creek which was described by the first Governor of NSW when he and his party were exploring this area for farmland. Follow these historic footsteps and explore a piece of wonderful bushland.

(0km) Int of Hunter Ave and Founders Way → Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way

70 m

1 mins

0m

-2m

Easy track

From the intersection, this walk follows the Founders Way service trail, heading away from the road and past a picnic seat, continuing along to the ‘T’ intersection with the pipeline track.

(0.07km) Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way → Int of Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks

180 m

3 mins

8m

0m

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail keeping the pipeline on the right as it heads up the gentle hill and past a Garigal National Park sign. It then continues through the bush for a while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Bungaroo Track.

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bungaroo Track’ sign along the bush track, heading away from the pipeline and through the gum trees, winding down some wooden steps before coming to the intersection of the lookout rock at the track markers. Here, the track turns right and continues along through the bush to the intersection with the upper link track, where a power line tower comes into view at a rock surface with some painted green arrows.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track east towards the rock platforms, where it follows the steps down a cleft between the rocks. The walk continues along the bush track, winding through the bush and under some high-tension power lines and down some spaced-out wooden steps, until it comes to the intersection with the middle link track at a rock surface with some green painted arrows.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading east, down the hill and through the bush for a while, steadily winding down wooden and rock steps. The track heads down around some rock platforms and past an information sign on a local bird called the Anomalous Hornbill. The walk passes a track marker and continues down some more wooden steps to the intersection of the lower link track.

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, with the ground sloping up to the left and keeping the wide creek a short distance (through the bush) to the right. The track continues through the thick bush and around some boulders for a little while before bending to the right and coming to the Middle Harbour Creek, which it crosses at the large sandstone steppingstones (not safe to cross if stepping stones covered in water). The walk then continues up the steps on the other side to the signposted intersection of the ‘Governor Phillip Track’.

Bungaroo

Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where “the flowing of the tide ceased”. Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as “the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of”. Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo. More info.

Maps for the Bungaroo Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Bungaroo Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bungaroo Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

3.6 km

Time

1 hr 30 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Short steep hills (3/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

1.1km of this walk has short steep hills and another 470m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (240m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 470m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (240m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 710m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 240m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 480m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bungaroo Track walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-gariganp-bt
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-gariganp-bt
Forecast snapshot